Why does standing still make our legs more tired than walking?

Question

I’ve always wondered, if walking involves more movement and presumably more energy, why does standing in one place feel more exhausting than walking for the same amount of time? How does our body differentiate between the two, and what’s happening in our muscles and circulatory system that makes standing still feel so much more tiring?

In: Biology

Answer 1

Our legs are so efficient at walking/running that the simple act of doing so pumps blood through the legs to make them feel fresh longer.